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Miles by Discover® Card vs American Express® Gold Card

Compare Rewards, Interest Rates, Fees, and Benefits

Discover Miles is an excellent travel card with no annual fee. How does it compare to American Express Gold Card, an events charge card? Read our comparison chart below.

Keep in mind, the Discover Miles has a $0 annual fee, while the American Express Gold Card has a $125 annual fee (annual fee waived for first year).


 Miles by Discover® CardAmerican Express® Gold Card
 Apply for Miles by Discover® CardApply for American Express® Gold Card
 

Miles by Discover® Card

American Express® Gold Card

 Personal Credit CardPersonal Charge Card
 
Introductory Bonus Airline RewardsAirline RewardsHotel RewardsTravel RewardsCar Rental Rewards
Point RewardsTravel RewardsInstant ApprovalNo Pre-Set Spending LimitEvents
 
  • Earn 10,000 Bonus Miles with every $2,000 in purchases within the first 6 months – up to 20,000 Bonus Miles
  • 1 Mile on every $1 you spend - Plus flexible redemption options like travel credits, merchandise, gift cards or cash
  • 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 12 months, then the variable purchase APR of 10.99% - 15.99%*
  • No restrictions on travel--fly on any airline, book any hotel or car, with no blackout dates
  • Travel benefits include secondary collision damage insurance when you rent a car with your Miles by Discover card
  • Discover is ranked #1 in customer loyalty--16 years in a row! (2012 Brand Keys Customer Loyalty Engagement Index report)
  • Great rewards with no annual fee, no rewards redemption fee, and no additional card fee
  • *Click apply to view rates, fees, rewards, limitations and other important information
  • Exclusive access to Gold Card Events – select concerts, shows, major sporting events, and more.
  • Purchase Protection* can protect eligible items for up to 90 days from the date of purchase if stolen or accidentally damaged. *Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company
  • Redeem Membership Rewards® points for an exclusive array of travel, shopping, dining and entertainment rewards.
  • Introductory annual fee of $0 for the first year, then $125.
  • Get a decision in as little as 60 seconds.
 

Card Interest Rates & Fees

Introductory APR for Balance Transfers0% introductory APR for 12 months 
Purchases APRas low as 10.99% to 15.99% (Variable) based on your creditworthiness and other factors 
Balance Transfers APRas low as 10.99% to 15.99% (Variable) based on your creditworthiness and other factors 
Annual Fee$0 annual fee$125 annual fee, annual fee waived for first year
 

Card Rewards & Benefits

Introductory Bonus Airline RewardsIntroductory Bonus Airline Rewards: Earn 10,000 Bonus Miles with every $2,000 in purchases within the first 6 months – up to 20,000 Bonus Miles 
Airline RewardsAirline Rewards: Double Miles on your first $3,000 in travel and restaurant purchases each year, plus 1 Mile for Every $1 you spend on all other purchases. 
Hotel RewardsHotel Rewards 
Point Rewards Point Rewards: Earn 1 point for virtually every dollar spent.
Travel RewardsTravel Rewards: Double Miles on your first $3,000 in travel and restaurant purchases each year. Unrestricted Travel booked through any airline, travel agent or online travel site.Travel Rewards: Pay with points for travel and fly anytime, anywhere -- there are no blackout dates or restrictions.
Hotel Status Hotel Status: Gold Card Hotel Program includes $75 dining credit with a stay of two nights or more at hundreds of Sheraton, Westin, W, and Le Meridien hotels and resorts when booking with goldcarddestinations.com
Dining RewardsDining Rewards: Earn double miles on up to $3,000 in travel and restaurant purchases. 
 Go to issuer's official application, terms, and detailsGo to issuer's official application, terms, and details
 

CreditDonkey® Card Reviews

 Miles by Discover® CardAmerican Express® Gold Card
Pros & ConsPros:
  • Bonus miles promotion
  • Double Miles on your first $3000 in travel and restaurant purchases each year
  • No annual fee
  • No travel restrictions
Cons:
  • No airline-specific loyalty status
Pros:
  • Gold card events
  • Great customer service
  • Exclusive travel benefits
  • Responsible charge card
Cons:
  • $125 annual fee
Bottom LineExcellent travel card with no annual fee... Read full reviewExcellent rewards card for cardholders who pay in full... Read full review
 Apply for Miles by Discover® CardApply for American Express® Gold Card

See issuer's website for details including terms and conditions. While reasonable effort has been made to maintain accurate and updated information, the information shown on this site may vary, be out of date, or not applicable to you. All information is provided without warranty. When you click on the Apply Now button, you can review the terms and conditions on the issuer's website.

Blank fields indicate either the information is not available, not applicable, or not known to CreditDonkey. Please visit the issuer's website for details.

Disclaimer: This content is not provided or commissioned by Discover. Opinions expressed here are author's alone, not those of Discover, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by Discover. This site may be compensated through Discover Affiliate Program.

Disclaimer: This content is not provided or commissioned by American Express. Opinions expressed here are author's alone, not those of American Express, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by American Express. This site may be compensated through American Express Affiliate Program.


Articles on Miles by Discover® Card

    Discover Miles Review

    Discover Miles Review

    September 2, 2011 - By Meghan Clark - Review for Discover Miles
    With a potential 20,000 bonus miles offer and no annual fee, the Discover Miles card offers great benefits to travelers. Redeeming miles also couldn't be easier: just make a travel purchase through any airline, travel agent or online travel site ...

    Disclaimer: This content is not provided or commissioned by Discover. Opinions expressed here are author's alone, not those of Discover, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by Discover. This site may be compensated through Discover Affiliate Program.


Articles on American Express® Gold Card

    American Express Gold Card Review: $125 Annual Fee vs Perks

    American Express Gold Card Review: $125 Annual Fee vs Perks

    July 30, 2011 - By Meghan Clark - Review for American Express Gold Card
    American Express has long been known for its superior service and perks. But whether the annual fee is worth the investment for you ultimately depends on your spending habits and lifestyle. We've crunched the numbers below so you can see if the ...

    Disclaimer: This content is not provided or commissioned by American Express. Opinions expressed here are author's alone, not those of American Express, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by American Express. This site may be compensated through American Express Affiliate Program.


Compare Discover Miles to:

Escape by Discover® Card
Apply for Escape by Discover® Card
  • Earn up to $250 in travel rewards - 1,000 Bonus miles every month you make a purchase for the first 25 months
  • Double Miles on every $1 you spend
  • 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 6 months, then the variable APR of 10.99% - 16.99%*
  • No restrictions on travel - fly on any airline, book any hotel or car, with no blackout dates
  • Flexible redemption options like travel credits, merchandise, gift cards or cash
  • Travel Insurance benefits, including primary car rental, lost or damaged luggage, travel delay, and trip cancellation when you book with your Escape by Discover card
  • Discover is ranked #1 in customer loyalty--16 years in a row! (2012 Brand Keys Customer Loyalty Engagement Index report)
  • *Click apply to view rates, fees, rewards, limitations and other important information
Introductory Bonus Airline RewardsAirline RewardsTravel RewardsNo Expiration on RewardsNo Limits on Rewards$0 Fraud Liability
Intro APR for PurchasesIntro APR for Balance TransferAPR as low asAnnual Fee
0% for 6 months
0% for 6 months
10.99% - 16.99% (Variable)
$60

Blue Sky from American Express®
Apply for Blue Sky from American Express®
  • 7,500 bonus points when you spend $1,000 within 3 months – redeemable for a $100 statement credit.
  • No annual fee
  • Travel rewards with no blackout dates or travel restrictions. Redeem with any airline, any car rental, any hotel - anytime
  • Pay your bill all at once, or over time. It's up to you.
  • Blue Savings Program®: big deals on big brands, all the time
  • Get a decision in as little as 60 seconds
Introductory Bonus Airline RewardsAirline RewardsHotel RewardsTravel RewardsInstant ApprovalCar Rental RewardsEventsCar Rental InsuranceExtended Warranty Purchase ProtectionReturn ProtectionTravel Accident Insurance$0 Fraud LiabilityEmergency Assistance
Intro APR for PurchasesIntro APR for Balance TransferAPR as low asAnnual Fee
0% for 12 months
-
17.24% - 22.24% (Variable)
$0

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Compare American Express Gold Card to:

The Platinum Card® from American Express

The Platinum Card® from American Express

Intro APR (P)Intro APR (BT)APR as low as
--N/A
Introductory Bonus Reward PointsAirline RewardsPoint RewardsTravel Rewards
  • 25,000 Membership Rewards® points bonus when you spend $2,000 during your first three months of Card membership
  • GLOBAL Travel benefits: Access over 600 lounges worldwide with Priority Pass™ Select, no foreign transaction fees, skip U.S. customs lines with Global Entry.
  • Enroll and select an airline to receive up to $200 annually in statement credits for incidental fees such as checked bags, in–flight refreshments, and change fees.*
  • Receive a companion ticket for discounted travel when you purchase a qualifying First- or Business-Class international ticket. Additional charges/taxes apply.
  • 24/7 Platinum Card® Concierge service for assistance with reservations, travel, gifts, and more
  • FINE HOTELS & RESORTS Program: exclusive upgrades and amenities at over 700 boutique, resort, and luxury hotels worldwide
  • Use Membership Rewards Pay with Points for part or all of your travel and get 20% of
Apply for The Platinum Card® from American Express
Blue Cash Everyday℠ Card from American Express

Blue Cash Everyday℠ Card from American Express

Intro APR (P)Intro APR (BT)APR as low as
0% for 12 months
-
17.24% - 22.24% (Variable)
Introductory Bonus Cash BackCash Back RewardsInstant ApprovalGas Rewards
  • Earn $100 cash back after spending $1,000 in eligible purchases in the first 3 months of Cardmembership
  • 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months, flexibility to pay over time
  • Get 3% cash back at supermarkets, 2% cash back at gas stations and department stores, and 1% cash back on all other purchases
  • NO spend minimum, NO enrollment, and NO rotating rewards categories
  • Get a $25 Referral Bonus for each friend or family member who is approved for the Card
  • No annual fee, flexibility to pay over time
Apply for Blue Cash Everyday℠ Card from American Express
American Express® Premier Rewards Gold Card

American Express® Premier Rewards Gold Card

Intro APR (P)Intro APR (BT)APR as low as
--N/A
Introductory Bonus Reward PointsAirline RewardsPoint RewardsTravel Rewards
  • Membership Rewards(R) bonus: 25K points, redeemable for select gift cards valued at $250, when you spend $2,000 in your first three months of card membership
  • Membership Rewards(R) points multiply fast! Earn 3X points on airfare, 2X points on gas and groceries, 1X points on everything else
  • Exclusive access to Gold Card Destinations and events – Enjoy special travel packages and amenities at hotels worldwide, as well as select concerts, shows, major sporting events, and more, nationwide.
  • Introductory annual fee of $0 for the first year, then $175
  • Get approved in 60-seconds.
Apply for American Express® Premier Rewards Gold Card

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